By Dr Partap Chauhan
Ayurveda states that everything is constituted of the pancha
mahabhutas or the five elements—ether (akasha), wind
(vayu), fire (agni), water (jala), and earth (prithvi).
Living beings have an additional element: prana. Prana stands
for the life force, a primordial energy, and is involved
in physical, mental, and spiritual health and strength.
 Prana is a Sanskrit word meaning “breath” and
is understood as the vital, life-sustaining force of living
beings and the vital energy in all natural processes of
the universe. It is a central concept in Ayurveda and Yoga
where it is understood to flow through a network of fine
subtle channels called nadi. It is the life energy which
activates the body and mind.
This energy circulates in the body through food, drink,
and breath, and gives life and animation to the living organism.
However, due to disease or improper foods and lifestyle,
it meets with blocks as it traverses through the various
energy channels. Massage is a therapy that helps remove
these blocks and aids the circulation of vital energy in
the body.
Ayurvedic massage, or “Abhyanga”, is a part
of the traditional detoxification and rejuvenation program
of Ayurveda called “Panchakarma”, in which the
entire body is rhythmically massaged with large amounts
of warm oil and herbs to remove toxins and blocks from the
system. The rhythmical and deeply relaxing movements of
the massage remove stagnant energy and move the prana or
life force to stimulate your body’s vital energy.
The history of Ayurvedic massage dates back several centuries
to healers who worked miracles with their hands. Massage,
as a therapeutic and healing therapy, is known to have been
practiced by the ancient Indian physicians, Sage Charaka,
Sage Sushruta, and Sage Vagbhata. Warriors and soldiers
had to undergo mandatory massage routines during their training
period, because massage helped limb manipulation and improved
agility in general.
The literal meaning of massage is manipulation of the soft
tissues of the body using the hands. In Ayurvedic treatment,
massage is done in a traditional manner typically with application
of medicated herbal oils. Different ailments require specific
massage techniques, which the therapist selects keeping
the individual's condition in mind.
The basis for effectively performing the various Ayurvedic
massage techniques is a thorough understanding of the primordial
energies of the five elements (ether, air, fire, water,
and earth) and of vata, pitta, and kapha - the three basic
constitutional types. This knowledge allows the therapist
to customize treatments and determine the speed, force,
number of repeated massage movements, type of herbal oil,
and the massage technique suitable to the person’s
physical strength, age, and ailment.
Ayurvedic Massage is a deeply relaxing and rejuvenating
experience. Regular massage protects from stress, anxiety,
exhaustion, and Vata disorders. Abhyanga nourishes the body,
extends the life span, provides good sleep, improves the
skin texture, improves the vision, and provides better physical
stability. It has excellent benefits in the treatment of
certain illnesses too.Interested to learn more about Ayurvedic
Massage? Take the
Ayurvedic
Massage e-learning course!
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